Why do so many Christian families live above their income?

It is shameful that so many Christian families do indeed live above their incomes. Why is that? I suppose there are many reasons. Let’s look at just a few.

Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” So many believers today ignore this directive from the Lord. Many are bent on keeping up with all the fashions, fads, and ways of the world. It is so common for people today to buy on credit instead of saving for the things they want or need. According to statistics, the average for balance-carrying households in the USA is $16,048. That’s a lot of money which incurs a lot of interest. Christians are just as in debt as the rest of the world.

1 Timothy 6:8, “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” Many believers today are not content to have their basic needs met. We want more and are willing to go into debt to get what we want. That’s a dangerous trap. Solomon tells us in Proverbs 27:20, “…the eyes of man are never satisfied.” That literally means that when we look around to see what is available to us, we are never quite satisfied with what we have. According to 1 Timothy 6:5, many believe that “gain is godliness.” However, verse 6 corrects that thought and tells us, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Psalm 73:24, “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” The Lord offers us His counsel. So often, believers make decisions without consulting the Lord first. Often we don’t even consider praying before entering into a financial commitment. When we do that, the results are disastrous.

It’s almost amusing, but is really sad, when we hear of people praying for the Lord to miraculously remove their debts. We see that promoted by some of the prosperity preachers on TV and radio. There is an important principle found in Galatians that applies to everyone, believer and unbeliever alike. Galatians 6:7 says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH, THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP.”

To avoid falling into this trap of living beyond our means, let’s be men and women of prayer. Let us be wise and seek the Lord’s counsel before entering into any debt. Indeed, let’s seek the Lord’s counsel for every decision we make. It dishonors the Lord when we fall helplessly into debt. It shows we are not good stewards. (208.10)